Lithuanian turns to French police over destruction of car with antiques

Lithuanian art collector Andrejus Balyka has turned to the French police and prosecutors over destruction of his automobile with antique values, Lietuvos Rytas daily said.

Upon return from a trip, the collector noticed his Mercedes-Benz minivan missing from a parking area outside his Paris home, which he had used for over a decade. The minivan, which had been customized for transport of antique mirrors and other items, was used for storage of some of his valuables.

An inquiry has shown that the minivan had been towed away by the police and later destroyed.

The collector intends to file a civil action of up to 300,000 euros to the French Interior Ministry.